About this playlist

It's been one year since Hurricane Sandy slammed ashore in New Jersey, devastating the state from the Jersey Shore to the Hudson River. On the occasion of such a sad anniversary, it seems appropriate to offer a tribute to one of the best things about this great state: the music.

There are even country stars (Juice Newton) and bluegrass icons (David Grisman) rubbing shoulders with hip-hop pioneers Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature (The Roots may hail from nearby Philly, but they have mad respect for Jersey, as heard on their showcase for Newark native and state poet laureate Amiri Baraka). And make room for honorary residents The Isley Brothers (Ohio-born, but took to their adopted state so well they named their record label T-Neck), Carole King (the Manhattanite penned "Pleasant Valley Sunday" after moving to West Orange) and rock 'n' roll believers Low Cut Connie (if ["Big Thighs, NJ"] isn't an actual Jersey location, you can almost imagine it nestled somewhere between Seaside Heights and Brigantine). And there's plenty more in our Garden State playlist. Give it a listen and you might think you can see why New Jersey is the only state lacking a state song -- maybe there's just too much great music to choose from.